Almost three decades have passed since Ocean Rafting brought a splash of gold to the turquoise Whitsundays waters. Ocean Rafting has surpassed 28 wonderful years of family-run and locally loved business, and is ready to keep serving the Whitsunday Tourism Industry for another.
Ocean Rafting marked its 28th anniversary in style at the Tourism Awards in October, securing a gold medal in the ‘Major Tour & Transport’ category and silver in ‘Adventure Tourism.’ The team was also honoured as Whitsunday’s favourite tourism experience in the consumer-voted ‘People’s Choice Award Experience.’ These impressive wins led to their induction into the Hall of Fame, recognising three consecutive years of gold in the “Major Tour & Transport” category and three years as the “People’s Choice Award Experience.”
Ocean Rafting is proudly owned by Peter and Jan Claxton, who took over the business in 2001 when it featured just two vessels, "Jammin'" and "Wild Thing." After some renovations, both boats are still part of the fleet today. Under Peter and Jan's leadership, Ocean Rafting has blossomed into a thriving enterprise.
What sets Ocean Rafting apart is its rich family heritage, with three generations actively involved in the business. Nathan Fleming, who has spent 13 years at Ocean Rafting, also shares a deep-rooted connection with the family behind it. His journey began in Hervey Bay, where he first met Jan and Peter—Jan approached him at his job, promoting the business alongside her two children, who now serve as operations managers. Nathan describes Jan and Peter as family, fully embracing their family-oriented approach. The close-knit atmosphere is further strengthened by Jan’s mother, who serves as the head accountant, and her sister, also an accountant, reinforcing the strong familial bonds that define Ocean Rafting.
“At Ocean Rafting, we are lucky to have become a three-generational business over the last twenty-eight years,” said Jan.
“Being family-owned and operated allows us to be agile and efficient when making on-the-go decisions. This translates to our team feeling empowered and responsible for their choices, ideas, and actions. Some of the Rafting team have been with us for a long time, and now their youngsters have joined us, completing the Rafting family recipe.”
Since the business was acquired in 2001, it has expanded from two boats to eight, along with adding planes for scenic flights over the Whitsundays. These breathtaking flights, showcasing the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday’s iconic Heart Reef, were introduced by Ocean Rafting seven years ago.
The concept of combining planes with ocean rafting was inspired by Peter, who transitioned from aviation to boating. This innovative approach has led to the creation of the Fly Raft package, which has quickly become one of Ocean Rafting’s best-sellers. This unique offering seamlessly integrates the thrill of flight with the adventure of rafting, providing an unforgettable experience for their customers.
Three generations of family and almost three decades as one of the Whitsundays’ most loved on-water experiences, Ocean Rafting state that their mission is still to treat every day as if it was the one and only day their guests will experience Ocean Rafting and the Whitsundays; and this has attributed to the company’s long-term success and thriving growth over the years.

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Ocean Safari, often referred to as the ‘little sister’ of Ocean Rafting, offers a multi-award-winning exhilarating adventure to snorkel the pristine, untouched Great Barrier Reef off the Daintree Coast at Cape Tribulation for the past 16 years.
This half-day Great Barrier Reef tour takes you to two stunning snorkel destinations, each brimming with an extraordinary array of marine life and vibrant coral species. After a swift 25-minute ride, you'll dive into the breathtaking waters of Mackay Reef, ready to explore its spectacular underwater world.
On this tour, you will be in for a chance to snorkel alongside a vast array of marine life and colorful coral, including, sea turtles, tropical fish, eagle rays, giant clams and starfish. Whilst snorkeling amongst the Great Barrier Reef you can often see the coastal rainforest of the Daintree along mainland beach, incorporating two world heritage sites side by side.
The Ocean Safari tour begins at Cape Tribulation beach where you board the vessel bound for the tropical waters. The Ocean Safari vessel takes a maximum of 25 passengers allowing guests to experience tropical paradise and the pleasure of a small group.
The Ocean Safari check-in office also hosts the Turtle Rock Café and Safari Lodge. Located just 400 meters from the beach, Safari Lodge provides comfortable cabins and campsites nestled in the lush Cape Tribulation rainforest, making it an ideal base for exploring this renowned area. The Turtle Rock Café serves up freshly prepared, wholesome meals and excellent coffee, all in a relaxed, friendly setting with inviting outdoor dining.
Cole Claxton, General Manager (son of Jan and Peter) and his partner Clem are the brains behind the  day-to-day operations for the Ocean Safari Great Barrier Reef snorkeling adventure, Safari Lodge and Turtle Rock Cafe in Cape Tribulation along with a bunch talented friendly staff, who will ensure your Cape Tribulation experience is one to remember.
If you are looking at your next adventure, have a look at Ocean Rafting’s little sister. www.oceansafari.com.au

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This Christmas, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, are ensuring that no child goes without a present this year.
The centre is encouraging individuals to donate to their toy drive, which in turn will go into their free Christmas gift shop, aimed to help families who are struggling this Christmas.
Parents will need to register their interest in attending, and once a slot is booked will be invited to come through the gift shop and get tokens for free gifts, which are new and unopened and can go straight under their Christmas tree for their little ones.
Executive officer, Rebecca Woods, stated that whilst in the past the shop was strictly for low-income familiies they have expanded their customer base:
“In the past, we've kept the toy shop strictly for low-income families, and they had to provide evidence that they were receiving government benefits.”
This year, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre recognizes that the need within the community is greater than ever, with many individuals facing challenges, even if they are not receiving Centrelink benefits.
Every child deserves the joy of opening a present on Christmas Day, and the Whitsunday community, in partnership with the Neighbourhood Centre, is working to ensure that no child is left without a gift this festive season.
Anyone interested in participating in the gift shop initiative is encouraged to register by December 10th, 2024. To sign up, simply visit the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre Facebook page and click the registration link.

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Rebecca Woods, Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre

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This holiday season, Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue is inviting you to make a meaningful difference for animals in need by participating in our Christmas Charity Raffle. Every ticket you buy helps rescue unwanted animals and gives them a chance at a loving forever home.
Tickets are available at Tinkers Bakery (Whitsunday Community Markets on November 23 and 30, 2024), Beach Book Boutique in Airlie Beach, or you can contact them directly for bank transfer options. Every ticket purchased directly supports our vital rescue efforts.
The 1st Prize includes a Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruise for 2, 18 holes at Proserpine Golf Course, a Tinkers Bakery Doggy Gift Basket, and a beach towel. The 2nd Prize features a Whitsunday Bullet Day Trip for 1, golf course passes, Whitsunday Gold Coffee Beans, and a beach towel. The 3rd Prize includes a Beach Book Boutique gift card, a BCF gift card, and a beach sandcastle kit.
The lucky winners will be drawn on November 30, 2024.
This holiday season, you can give back while having the chance to win amazing prizes. Support Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue and help make this season brighter for animals in need.
Get your tickets now and help save a life!

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Rocco was found abandoned in Bowen and brought into the loving care of Bowen and Collinsville Pet Rescue. He was a little rough around the edges at first, clearly in need of some TLC. But with patience and love, he’s now thriving in his foster home and slowly coming out of his shell.
This affectionate boy is a true cuddle bug! Rocco will greet you with a gentle purr and loves to nuzzle up for some attention. He’s often found relaxing or peacefully napping, content in his safe, cozy environment.
Rocco is living with two dogs and is slowly becoming more comfortable with them, though he still prefers his quiet time. He’s fully vetted, desexed, microchipped, and vaccinated – ready to find his perfect match!
If you’re looking for a sweet, loving companion who’s ready to share all the affection, Rocco might be the one for you.
Contact Bowen and Collinsville Pet Rescue to learn more about adopting Rocco:
Mobile: 0459 757 455
Or send a message to their Facebook page.

Name: Rocco
Sex: Male
Age: 6yrs
Adoption fee: $170

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Bowen was proudly represented this week at the Queensland Information Centre’s Association (QICA) conference with Leanne Abernethy, Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, and Visitors Services Coordinator, Glenn Womal in attendance.
An annual event held in a different location each year, the QICA conference provides attendees with a valuable platform to network and exchange knowledge with one another. Introduced in 2005, the conference allows attendees to exchange ideas, meet representatives from centres in other regions, and listen to success stories and presentations to further improve and elevate tourism opportunities across Queensland.
The 2024 event saw Leanne, Glenn, and approximately 100 other representatives from numerous accredited Visitor Information Centres across the state travel to Kingaroy, with Leanne sharing how beneficial the experience is for the entire region.
“We always come back with ideas on how to improve our centre and it is fantastic to expand our own networks and encourage people from other regions to visit Bowen, and the rest of the Whitsundays,” Leanne explained.

Manager for Bowen Tourism and Business Leanne Abernethy with Visitors Services Coordinator, Glenn Womal at Wondai Heritage Museum. Photo supplied

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It’s been an action-packed first few weeks for me as CEO of TW, and I’ve loved every moment of diving into our local tourism scene. From meeting passionate operators to exploring our stunning destinations, I’m more excited than ever about what the future holds for this incredible region.
One of my first steps was hosting a roundtable with key tourism members, where we brainstormed ideas for our major marketing campaign to help raise the profile of The Whitsundays. It was a great chance to hear directly from our partners and get their ideas on what’s working and where we can make an impact.
I also had the privilege of attending some fantastic local events. The Airlie Beach Festival of Music was buzzing with energy, and I was especially impressed by the incredible contribution of the Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors. Over the last 20 years, they have welcomed more than 1.1 million cruise passengers, with these visitors contributing $57 million to the local economy in 2022/23.
I couldn’t miss out on visiting some of The Whitsundays most iconic spots, from Whitehaven Beach to Hamilton Island and Hayman Island – we really are in a stunning part of the world! Bowen was also a highlight (yes, I saw the Big Mango!)—a truly welcoming place with a vibrant tourism community. I’m looking forward to strengthening the partnership with Bowen and Collinsville as we grow the region together.
One project I’m particularly excited about is the Whitsunday Skyway—a game-changer for land-based tourism and a fantastic new way to showcase the region’s natural beauty.
Our tourism operators were also recognised at the Queensland Tourism Awards, with the region bringing home 16 awards—a true testament to the hard work and dedication that makes us world-class.
It’s been a whirlwind start, and I’m excited for what’s ahead!
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Contributed by Tim Booth, CEO, Tourism Whitsundays

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(Centre) Tim Booth, CEO, Tourism Whitsundays visits the Big Mango. Left Bowen Tourism and Business Manager Leanne Abernethy, right Glenn Womal Bowen Tourism and Business Visitors Services Coordinator. Photo supplied

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Last week the team spent a day with Judy from Shiift, who specialise in leadership, culture and performance training. In our session we were learning about strengths via the Clifton Strengths model. In a shift from the usual way, we discuss strengths – a sandwich for what could be improved – the whole session focussed on our top five strengths.
To get to the top five, we all took a lengthy quiz. This quiz was puzzling, so many questions were asked and then asked again in a different way. After plugging through the 100 questions – it was only about 20 mins – we were emailed a report.
The report was spookily accurate in what our top 5 talents are and knew things about us that we didn’t think possible. Spending the day with Judy helped us to understand our own and each other’s talents and how we could turn them into our top 5 strengths.
Walking out of the session we knew a much smarter way of working that allowed each person to utilise their strengths every day. We also understood ourselves better and had a much clearer understanding of why we love and excel at some tasks and procrastinate on others.
For all those interested, we’re a team of mostly strategic thinkers and executers – not surprising now we look at it!

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Contributed by Cait Fleming, Industry Development & Trade Manager, Tourism Whitsundays
Tourism Whitsundays Visit Shift

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Hi Everyone,

A huge congratulations to all the local operators who attended the Queensland Tourism Awards over the weekend. An incredible 16 state awards were brought home to the region by Whitsunday businesses, illustrating the impressive standard of service we have within our local tourism industry.

As many of you may remember, we were honoured to receive the award for Best Free Newspaper in Queensland at the Queensland Country Press Awards in May this year, and being acknowledged at state level certainly gives you a buzz!

You can read all about the fantastic local award-winning operators in our special feature from pages 17 to 23 – thank you to everyone who chose to participate, we feel honoured to share your story with the community.

In other news, a big shout out the owners of this publication – Bec and Paul Douthwaite – who hosted an ‘Epic Three Day End Of Year Party’ for the whole team over the weekend.

From a top-secret venue which had the most stunning views we’d ever seen, through to the scuba diving adventure with Cruise Whitsundays, the lively Karaoke session and the hilarious Horny Elephant game – every aspect was perfect in every way. Thank you on behalf of all the team.

As part of the event, we were also lucky enough to have Judy Porter from Shiift facilitate a workshop for us.

While we connect every day on the printed page - producing four weekly newspapers and two bi-monthly publications together - sadly we do not physically connect as much as we’d like.

Certainly not in a relaxed, playful setting.

As a result, a workshop with Judy was the breath of fresh air we all needed to relax and unwind.

Rach

Quote of the Week: “He who is brave is free” (Seneca)

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A pair of young entrepreneurs have received much praise across the Whitsunday community after giving their piggy banks a boost with a delicious driveway initiative! Reef (12) and Jett (10) Brookes set out to make a few extra dollars by selling mangos for a cracker price, of only 50c each!

Over the past couple of weekends, the pair have embarked on a pocket money mission, picking mangos from the creek beside their house, and setting up their spectacular stall, fully equipped with mum, Mel, and dad, Josh, cooking up a free sausage sizzle storm for each loyal customer, all made possible with the encouragement of a kind stranger.

A couple of weekends ago, a young man came across the Brookes family and shared his appreciation for their initiative, how lovely it was to see the boys doing what they’re doing, and his gratitude towards Mel and Josh for raising the boys with such values.

“He stopped, gave them a heartfelt speech, and gave them $50!” explained Mel.

“It was very sweet, and this inspired Reef and Jett to pick more mangos and give more away, and they were out the front most of the weekend, had a fair few donations and so many amazing conversations with our neighborhood, praising them for having a go!”

Once the pair reached what Mel described as a “ridiculous amount for two little boys”, they asked their parents if they could go and buy sausages and bread with the money, they had made to then give away to whoever wanted one the next day.

“They’ve even had a few friends from the neighborhood over on the weekend to help out, and of course, split the money,” added Mel.

“On Sunday we attempted to make green mango chutney with the mangos, and it wasn’t too bad at all!”

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50c mangos and a free sausage sizzle, what could be better than that!
Brookes brothers Reef and Jett have been praised for their entrepreneurial efforts and kindness.

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A game-changing $5 million investment into the Whitsunday Skyway, was announced by the state government this week, invigorating an exciting new momentum to this legacy eco-tourism project.
The Whitsunday Skyway will be a ground-breaking new tourism activity located on the edge of Airlie Beach, nestled within the stunning Conway National Park. This innovative attraction will feature a cable car, breathtaking scenic viewpoints, food and beverage offerings, and a variety of activities and programs for visitors to enjoy.
The Skyway’s cable car base station will be just a short stroll from Airlie Beach, transporting guests to a summit in the Conway Ranges. From this vantage point, they will be treated to panoramic 360-degree views of the Coral Sea and the Whitsunday Islands. This experience offers a unique opportunity to provide easy access to one of the region's most spectacular sights, previously unavailable to the public.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell joined Whitsunday Skyway project proponent Elizabeth Hackett from Australian Adventure Tourism Group for a sneak preview of the new attraction destined for Airlie Beach.
Standing at the site of the proposed midway station, Minister Powell said visitors would be awestruck by the views.
“This attraction is exactly the sort of showcase we need to give tourists and locals alike a real understanding of the incredible natural beauty of the Whitsundays,” said Mr Powell.
“We know visitors are looking for these unique experiences, and I’m confident this will be a world class facility.
“The Crisafulli Government is pleased to commit $5 million to the project and will work with Ms Hackett to make sure the approval process is as efficient as possible.
“We know the right environmental protections need to be in place, because the major drawcard is the nature at its finest here in the Whitsundays.
“We also need to make sure that operators are getting their projects assessed in a timely way,” said Mr Powell.
Australian Adventure Tourism Group Chair, Elizabeth Hackett, welcomed the Government’s commitment.
“We are thrilled with this support for our venture,” said Ms Hackett.
“We want to get cracking with this amazing project so that locals win in the construction phase with jobs, and then visitors win with the completion of the Skyway with access to the best views in the world.”
The $100 million project is undergoing approvals at State and Federal levels before construction can commence.

Australian Adventure Tourism Group Chair, Elizabeth Hackett speaking at the funding announcement this week. To her right, Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell. Photo supplied

An artist’s impression of the Whitsunday Skyway. Supplied

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The Waste in the Whitsundays event, held at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, was a huge success, attracting a fantastic crowd of tourism businesses and students from across the region. This free event focused on educating the community about the latest innovations in waste management, with expert guest speakers sharing invaluable insights on sustainability and waste reduction practices to produce a wonderful day full of learning and inspiration for all attendees.

A standout moment of the event was the Sustainable Sculpture Competition Awards Presentation, part of National Recycling Week. Local children showcased their creativity with sculptures made from recycled materials, impressing the judges and the community. The awards ceremony included a special People’s Choice voting segment, allowing attendees to vote for their favourite sculptures.

Congratulations to the winners of the Sustainable Sculpture Competition:
   • Category A (Early Years, 0-5): Winner – Proserpine Public Kindergarten; Highly Commended – C&K Proserpine Community Kindergarten and Bowen Goodstart Early Learning.

   • Category B (Prep – Yr 2): Winner – St Catherine’s Catholic College Yr 2; Highly Commended – Prep & Yr 5.

   • Category C (Years 3-6): Winner – Queens Beach State School Yr 4; Highly Commended – Queens Beach State School Yr 4/5 and St Catherine’s Catholic College Yr 5.

People’s Choice Winners:
   • Category A: C&K Proserpine Community Kindergarten.

   • Category B: St Catherine’s Catholic College Prep & Yr 5.

   • Category C: Queens Beach State School Yr 4/5

The Whitsunday Regional Council extended a warm thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the event a memorable success!

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Since 2005, local services in the Whitsundays have partnered with the Whitsunday Neighborhood Centre to nominate families and individuals in need of extra support during the holiday season. The Adopt a Family initiative then creates an anonymous list of these nominees for the community to adopt.
Adopting a family simply means donating a gift card—of any value—to help brighten their Christmas. It's not about hosting individuals but offering a thoughtful contribution to those in need.
It could range from a reef trip to a $50 voucher for Woolworths, no donation is too big or small.
While the old ‘Adopt a Family’ process consisted of creating hampers, Executive Officer at the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, Rebecca Woods, mentioned how gift vouchers became the preferred option:
“For a lot of people, when they're in these circumstances, they have very little control their situations, so to actually have some control over their Christmas and how they want to celebrate can be extremely empowering for them.
“It is also very hard for someone to buy a hamper of gifts for a person or family who they don’t know very well.”
Rebecca shared that all donations are needed by December 10th to allow the nominated families ample time to prepare for Christmas, helping to ease some of the stress associated with the holiday season.
Given the ongoing cost-of-living challenges, receiving a donated gift can be especially meaningful for families in need, particularly during the financially demanding Christmas period.
"We have such a generous community," Rebecca said.
"Everyone really rallies together at Christmas to support those who are struggling."
If you’d like to help, make Christmas a little brighter for a local family, visit the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre's Facebook page for more information on how to adopt a family this holiday season.

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Adopt a family this Christmas!

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Mackay Hospital Foundation is on the look-out for Whitsunday residents wanting to volunteer their time as drivers for the Whitsunday Patient Transfer vehicle.

The service has been operational since early 2023 and has been an incredible support for Whitsunday region patients who need to travel to Mackay for appointments and treatment. Currently operating three days each week – Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, five wonderful volunteers have been driving the transfer service on these days since its inception and with an increase in volunteers, this vital service has the potential to increase to 5 days per week.

With the capability of transporting eight patients on each trip, the bus departs Cannonvale on the three dedicated days, with collection points at Proserpine and BP Bloomsbury. The patient transfer service is available to patients who have appointments booked through the public health system and require transport to Mackay to meet their medical commitments.

Volunteer Support Officer Jackie Meldrum said, “If you live in the Whitsunday region, with a current ‘C’ Class Drivers Licence, and you’re willing to donate your time, I’d love to hear from you”.

Whether we have one patient or a full vehicle of eight patients, the service has been incredibly valuable for people in the Whitsundays.

The Whitsunday Patient Transfer service is an initiative of Mackay Hospital Foundation, and if this is something that interests you, please contact Jackie Meldrum on 4885 7590 (work), 0487 760 029 (mobile) or email Jacqueline.Meldrum@health.qld.gov.au.

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The Patient Transfer Service

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We are developing a new Corporate Plan 2025–2030, our primary strategic document that sets the high-level direction, focus areas, and key projects for the next five years. The draft plan can be viewed on our Online Engagement Portal, Yoursay Whitsunday, where you can provide your feedback to shape our future across the plan’s five themes: Our Economy, Community, Environment, Infrastructure, and Our Council.
Consultation closes 18 December – don’t miss your chance to have your say!

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